Loki Crashed A Gathering Of 12 Gods In Valhalla

Superstitions have been a part of our everyday life since the beginning of time. The basis for these beliefs has its source in fear.

They've been with us since the dawn of time, and although they've undergone many changes they remain with us today. And there's no sign of them dying out any time soon.

Superstitions are not based on rationale and practical thought. They've evolved from ancient religious or supernatural genres, a huge resource that includes belief in specific events (Halloween), apparitions (vampires, werewolves and ghosts), charms and incantations (salt over the shoulder, avoiding pavement cracks) and predicting the future (horoscopes, palm reading).

Another famous superstition revolves around the number 13, with the date being an inspiration for a series of horror films entitled Friday the 13th. There are many different stories that have evolved to give this date its notoriety, among them:

* The biblical reference to the Last Supper, with Judas betraying Jesus. He was the 13th guest at the table. Jesus was reportedly crucified on Friday.

* In ancient Rome a witch's coven comprised 12, with the 13th member being the devil.

* A Norse myth tells of 12 gods dining at Valhalla, their heaven. A 13th uninvited guest, Loki, arrived, persuading the god of darkness to slay the god of happiness.

Numerologists consider the number 12 a complete number for several reasons: the number of apostles, the total number of tribes in Israel, the number of months in a year, the number of Olympian gods, the zodiac signs and Hercules' labors. 13's association with bad luck is the simple, unavoidable fact that it exceeds a complete number by just one. 13 at Last Supper on a Friday, origin of friday 13th superstition

Another modern myth about this unfortunate number claims that if you have 13 letters in your name you will have the devil's luck. So is it a coincidence that the following characters reflect this trait?

Jack the Ripper, Charles Manson, Jeffrey Dahmer, Theodore Bundy, and Albert De Salvo


The following, historical events, 700 years back in time, are related to peoples fear for the number 13 and Friday the 13th. It arrived to America and was spread all over the world by French emigrants, who heard of the tragedy in France and especially in Paris, below shortly described:

The tragedy concerns the banishment, arresting and outlawing of all Knights Templar, Friday the 13th of October, the year 1307 against their declaration of innocence.

The last known Grand Master of the spiritual Order of the Knights Templar, Jacques de Molay, was burned to death on a slow fire on the stake outside the Notre Dame Church in Paris together with his successor, on Friday the 13th of March , the year 1314 after long time in prison and of unsuccessful trials to get an admittance of guilt, where even hard torture was involved.